Tiger Woods’ DUI court battle to begin today as prosecutors demand access to golf icon’s medical records after arrest
Tiger Woods’ attorney and prosecutors are set to argue Tuesday about whether the golfer’s prescription drug records should be handed over to the state following his March arrest in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence.
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Martin County circuit court, just north of Palm Beach County.
Prosecutors have issued a subpoena seeking copies of all prescription medication records for the legendary golfer at a Palm Beach pharmacy from the start of the year through the end of March.
Defense attorney Doug Duncan said in a court filing last month that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy when it comes to his prescription medications.
If the judge determines the drug records are necessary, Duncan has also asked for a protective order limiting their release only to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, state experts and Woods’ defense team.
Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence.
Tiger Woods was arrested for DUI on March 27 after flipping his SUV in Jupiter Island, Florida
Woods is pictured in the back of a police car on March 27. He was later booked for DUI
A sheriff’s office report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket, and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a truck’s trailer and rolled onto its side.
Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside, residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30mph speed limit when his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck, according to an incident report.
Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol, but refused a urine test, authorities said.
The Daily Mail reported last week that Woods’ lawyers are increasingly optimistic he could avoid jail time after his second DUI arrest in Florida since 2017.
Woods has been seeking professional help in Zurich, Switzerland since the crash. He remains in the facility now, having surpassed a one-month milestone, yet that hasn’t stopped some of his fans speculating that he could yet still return at the US Open in late June.
Unfortunately for those optimistic fans, US Open CEO Mike Whan has warned them not to expect to see the 15-time major champion in the field.
‘I’d be super surprised,’ Whan told Sports Illustrated. ‘It would be wonderful for the event, and if he was ready, it would be wonderful for him.
‘Obviously, what he’s going through is much bigger than golf. He’s proven before that when he puts his mind to something, he’s going to be great at it. I’m sure he has a lot of years to play USGA championships. I don’t think he’s going to play in any 2026 USGA championship.
‘If he ends up playing in USGA championships, great. But when I think of Tiger, my friend, that’s not really what’s important to me right now.’
Woods last played in the US Open in 2024, but has not made the cut since 2019. He has won the championship on three occasions (2000, 2002, 2008).
The golf legend’s mugshot from the police station showed him with glassy, bloodshot eyes
Woods and girlfriend Vanessa Trump are staying together while he’s in rehab overseas
He had flirted with a stunning Masters comeback prior to his arrest, although the possibility of it coming to fruition was always extremely unlikely due to his recent injury history.
The latest saga is the fourth time he has been in trouble after being behind the wheel of a car.
He was arrested for another DUI in 2017 after police found him slumped in his car in Florida with five drugs in his system, including two painkillers.
Woods was later involved in a similar crash in 2021 in California, which shattered his right leg after he was trapped under the vehicle. He needed multiple surgeries in order to recover from his injuries, but didn’t face any charges and no blood test was ever conducted.
He also crashed into a fire hydrant in November 2009 as he tried to flee his Florida home after wife Elin Nordegren discovered he had been having an affair.
